Charles M. Janes

Charles M. Janes, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8th, 2024, surrounded by his wife and children at White Oak Adventist Healthcare after a prolonged illness.

Charlie was born on March 6th, 1937, to Eben and Evangeline (Solasz) Janes in Greenfield, Massachusetts where he spent his childhood. He was the oldest of five children. He graduated from Northfield High School in 1955, one of only two boys in a class of twelve students, with the look of Buddy Holly and the cool of James Dean.

Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in Japan as well as Korea immediately following the Korean War. After his military career, he enjoyed a career in hospitality as both a bartender and a manager and was a firm believer that the only drink that required “top shelf” was the first one. After that, no one knew! He then had a years’ long successful career as a mortgage banker and semi-famously appeared in a magazine ad captioned “Would you buy a used car from this man?” The real joke was, of course, you would. Charlie was the most kind and humble man you would ever meet.

Charlie and Leslie met during his career in hospitality and married on December 31, 1965. They had three children, Wendy, Stacey, and Michael and have lived in Laurel, Maryland since 1975. In their 58 years of marriage, they loved to travel, vacation in Maine, host family dinners, and revel in their grandchildren’s activities.

Charlie was known for his love of golf, music, cards, great food, and an even better glass of oaky Chardonnay. He was one of the original “foodies” taking his family to dinners at places from diners to white tablecloth all over the DMV from the time his son was in a highchair. And the family would leave the restaurant and the floor would be a mess, and he was happy (because his little family was happy)! He read three newspapers cover to cover every Sunday, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Baltimore Sun, and even sometimes the Washington Star (where his daughter Stacey was the youngest person ever to win the weekly football picks at 11 years old! He was so proud!). He even read every single insert in the papers and would save them for his children “just in case.” He was a man of few words but would surprise you with how wickedly funny he was. He loved his family and especially his grandchildren like no other. Family was the most important thing in his life.

Charlie was predeceased by his father, Eben, mother, Evangeline, and brother, William. He is survived by his beloved wife Leslie Janes, dear siblings Frederick Janes (Gail), Martha Janes, Dennis Janes (Deborah), cherished children Wendy Janes Tait, Stacey Janes, and Michael Janes (Melissa), his treasured grandchildren Michael Tait (Lindsay) and Casey Tait, niece Debbie Solomon Williams (Gary) and nephew Eddie Solomon.

The Memorial Gathering and Celebration of Life will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A. in Clarksville, MD on Thursday, April 18th, 2024 at 4:00 PM. While we are heartbroken for this loss, we know that he is finally without pain and in peace, and since Charlie was always such a snappy dresser, from leisure suits to golf casual, we encourage everyone to forgo the black. Come as you are and wear a bright color that he would have loved. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Ataxia Foundation, P.O. Box 27986, Golden Valley, MN 55427 or www.ataxia.org.

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